The Juvenile Instructor, that illustrated semi-monthly magazine with its motto “Designed Expressly for the Education and Elevation of the Young,” published this educational and elevating account on 1 July 1887.
The Key of Death
In the arsenal at Venice is a large collection of curious weapons. It is said to contain a specimen of every kind of weapon used by any nation on the face of the earth.
This collection is visited by a large number of persons every year, and nearly every one passes with scarcely a glance at the most terrible weapon of all; the most terrible, because the most devilish of all save one. Apparently, it is nothing but a large iron key, really, it is a terrible weapon when in the hand of a revengeful murderer.
It was invented in the early part of the seventeenth century, by one Tebaldo, who, disappointed in love, determined to be revenged upon his rival, and gave himself no rest until he had contrived this instrument, which he called “The Key of Death.” It is so constructed that the handle may be turned round, which reveals a small spring. This spring being pressed, a very fine needle is driven with considerable force from the opposite end. This needle is so very fine, that the flesh immediately closes over it, leaving no external mark.
Armed with this instrument, Tebaldo waited, in disguise, upon the happy pair at the door of the church, and found an opportunity to drive the needle into the breast of his rival. At the time-being, the bridegroom had no suspicion of his injury, but, during the marriage ceremony, he was seized with a sharp pain in his side, and fell fainting to the floor. He was carried to his home, and physicians were called, but they were unable to discover his disease, and in two or three days the unhappy man died.
Tebaldo now waited upon the parents of the lady, with renewed proposals of marriage. He was again refused, and they, too, perished in a few days. A careful examination of their bodies was made by the medical faculty, which resulted in the finding of the needle. Shortly after this, Tebaldo renewed his proposal to the lady herself, by whom he was spurned with contempt. Beside himself with rage, he attempted to wound her. But she discovered his intention, and he was executed on the gibbet.
Truly elevating!
Nice. We need more of this in the Friend.
While this kind of smacks some of us across the face of our present sensitivities, It does illustrate the evils and futilities of hatred and revenge.
Somehow, this makes breaking up by text message sound like a good idea.
And at least it is based on a true incident, which is one of the requirements for publication in The Friend.
I’m disappointed that our writer friend didn’t go on to include an educational and elevating description of the gibbet. Perhaps this was already covered in an earlier issue.
“The most devilish of all save one.” So, there will be a follow up article I take it?
I’m having fun gasping at some of what I see in the old magazines — even though, as Bruce suggested, they might have some valid purpose — so, yeah, there will be follow ups!